Musical ornament having concealable and movable figurine

Abstract

An ornamental display apparatus suited for the Christmas season having a concealable figurine that is movable from a concealed position to a display position. While the figurine is in the display position, seasonal music is broadcasted. The ornamental display apparatus generally comprises a base, a botanical model, a housing, a figurine, a motorized drive assembly and a music broadcasting means. The botanical model is disposed on the base, and the housing is enclosed within the botanical model. The botanical model is movable between an open and closed position. The figurine resides atop the base and is movable between a concealed position within the housing and an exposed position external to the botanical model. The motorized drive assembly moves the figurine between the concealed and exposed position, as well as the botanical model between the open and closed position. Since the ornamental display apparatus is designed especially to be exhibited during the Christmas season, the preferred embodiment would include a Santa Claus replica for the figurine, a Christmas tree for the botanical model and the broadcast of Christmas music.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An ornamental display apparatus, comprising: 
       a base, said base including a first slot disposed thereon;  
       a botanical model disposed on said base, said botanical model further comprising a housing disposed therein, said housing including an opening and a pair of doors, whereby said botanical model and said doors are movable between a closed position wherein said opening is concealed and an open position wherein said opening is exposed;  
       a figurine disposed atop said base, said figurine movable along said first slot between a concealed position within said housing and an exposed position external to said botanical model;  
       a pair of guide rails beneath said base;  
       a plate slidably engaged on said guide rails, said plate including a second slot disposed generally perpendicular to said first slot of said base;  
       means for attaching said figurine onto said plate, said attaching means disposed through said first slot on said base;  
       a disc including a stud disposed adjacent the periphery of said disc, said stud adapted to engage said second slot of said plate, wherein rotation of said disc causes translational motion of said plate whereby said figurine moves between said concealed position and said exposed position;  
       a pair of actuator arms disposed adjacent said plate, wherein translation motion of said plate causes rotation of said actuator arms;  
       a hinge pivotally attaching each said door to said housing;  
       a post attached to each said actuator arm and each said hinge, whereby rotation of said actuator arm along the longitudinal axis of said post causes rotation of said post and wherein rotation of said post causes each said hinge to move to each said door and said botanical model to said open position;  
       spring means for biasing said botanical model to said closed position;  
       means for rotating said disc; and  
       circuit means for broadcasting music when said figuring is in said exposed position.  
     
     
       2. An apparatus as recited in claim  1  wherein said means for rotating said disc comprises: 
       a motor including a first pulley attached thereto;  
       a second pulley attached to a worm screw;  
       a drive belt disposed around said first pulley and said second pulley;  
       a first reduction gear engaging said worm screw;  
       a second reduction gear engaging said first reduction gear;  
       a driven gear engaging said second reduction gear; and  
       a drive shaft connecting said driven gear to said disc.  
     
     
       3. An apparatus as recited in claim  2 , wherein said botanical model comprises a Christmas tree replica. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as recited in claim  2 , wherein said figurine comprises a Santa Claus replica. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus as recited in claim  2 , wherein said figurine comprises an angel replica. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus as recited in claim  2 , wherein said figurine comprises a snowman replica. 
     
     
       7. An ornamental display apparatus, comprising 
       a base, said base including a first slot disposed thereon;  
       a botanical model disposed on said base, said botanical model further comprising a housing disposed therein, said housing including an opening and a pair of doors, whereby said botanical model and said doors are movable between a closed position wherein said opening is concealed and an open position wherein said opening is exposed;  
       a figurine disposed atop said base, said figurine movable along said first slot between a concealed position within said housing and an exposed position external to said botanical model;  
       a motorized drive assembly for moving said figurine between said concealed position and said exposed position, and moving said doors between a closed position and an open position, said drive assembly comprising:  
       a pair of guide rails;  
       a plate slidably engaged on said guide rails, said plate including a second slot, said second slot disposed generally perpendicular to said first slot of said base;  
       means for attaching said figurine onto said plate, said attaching means disposed through said first slot on said base;  
       a disc including a stud disposed adjacent the periphery of said disc, said stud adapted to engage said second slot of said plate, wherein rotation of said disc causes translational motion of said plate whereby said figurine moves between said concealed position and said exposed position;  
       a pair of actuator arms disposed adjacent said plate, wherein translational motion of said plate causes rotation of said actuator arms;  
       a hinge for pivotally attaching each said door to said housing;  
       a post attached to each said actuator arm and each said hinge, whereby rotation of said actuator arms along the longitudinal axis of each said post causes rotation of each said post and wherein rotation of each said post causes each said hinge to move to said open position; and  
       spring means for biasing said doors to said closed position and;  
       a means for broadcasting music placed within said base.  
     
     
       8. An apparatus as recited in claim  7  further including: 
       a motor including a first pulley attached thereto;  
       a second pulley attached to a worm screw;  
       a drive belt disposed around said first pulley and said second pulley;  
       a first reduction gear engaging said worm screw;  
       a second reduction gear engaging said first reduction gear;  
       a driven gear engaging said second reduction gear; and  
       a drive shaft connecting said driven gear to said disc.